From James Madison to William Bradford, [ca. 21 May] 1776—Summary

To William Bradford

Letter not found.

Ca. 21 May 1776. In “A Memorandum Book,” Bradford noted on 28 May 1776: “This morning I recieved a Letter from Mr Maddison who is a member of the Virginia Convention, informing me of the declaration of Independency made by that body.”1

1. Since the resolution calling upon the delegates of Virginia in the Second Continental Congress to propose that “the United Colonies” be declared “free and independent States” was adopted by the Convention on 15 May (Force, American Archives description begins Peter Force, ed., American Archives, 4th ser. (6 vols.;
Washington, D.C., 1837–46). description ends , 4th ser., VI, 1524), this missing letter must have been written by JM on that date or a short time thereafter. More of its content is probably indicated in Bradford’s memorandum of 3 June (q.v.).

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